Waveney and Antrim Cardiac Support Group

Public benefits

Patients who have suffered a heart attack or a stroke are encouraged to join the Cardiac Support Group. They may have attended the Rehabilitation Programme held at the hospital. The Group encourages them to rebuild their lives and hence their confidence to as near normality as possible. The Group permits an opportunity to talk of any anxieties

they may have with other members who have had similar experiences and hence learn from each other or with cardiac nurses who are in attendance at each meeting. The Group encourages partners and carers to attend the meetings to better understand the various symptoms and needs the patient may experience. The Group's policy is to help patients and their families/carers through the holding of monthly meetings and a number of social events. The social events not only raises money for the operation of the Group but assist in interaction between the members. Members of the medical profession are invited, on a regular basis, to speak on the latest research, surgical and pharmaceutical procedures associated with cardiac conditions. The Group seeks to offer financial support to the Rehabilitation Programme and to assist in the purchase of cardiac equipment and materials for the benefit of all patients on the heart wards and hence the community as a whole. The Group brings all people together from all sides of the community. These benefits are (will be) demonstrated through positive feedback from the attendees at our group and continued and recurring attendance by those attendees. There is no harm or private benefit flowing from our purposes.

What your organisation does

We have monthly meetings where speakers come and give a talk on different topics, such as Migration of swifts, Rescue dog, Psychologist, heart consultant and Pharmacist. We also have an annual dinner and outing.